Ko-ichiro Yamamoto, one of the foremost Japanese trombonists of his generation, is the principal trombonist of the Seattle Symphony and the newest member of the Center City Brass Quintet. He was formerly a trombonist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York City for 10 seasons, and also co-principal trombonist of the All-Star Orchestra. Active as a soloist, recitalist, chamber music performer, and clinician, Yamamoto has performed with a wide variety of ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Chamber Orchestra, and as guest solo principal trombonist of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo. Yamamoto has also been guest soloist with orchestras including the Osaka Philharmonic, New Japan Philharmonic Tokyo, Kosei Wind Orchestra Tokyo, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band (OMSB), U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own), Eastern Music Festival, Taipei Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds of Singapore, and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

Yamamoto is an active recording artist and has performed on numerous TV and movie recordings in New York and Tokyo. He is a frequent invitee to give recitals and master classes throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. In 2019, Yamamoto was a guest artist and faculty member at the Southeast Trombone Symposium and Vancouver Trombone Week. He has also appeared as featured soloist at the American Trombone Workshop in Washington, DC, and the International Trombone Festival; as guest artist and faculty member for the Asian Trombone Seminar in Taiwan, Curuso Internacional Semena Musical de Salseda in Spain, the Eastern Music Festival, and the Hamamatsu Music Academy and Festival in Japan. As a clinician, he has given master classes at numerous colleges both in the United States and Asia, including the Eastman School of Music.

Born in Tokyo, Mr. Yamamoto began studying trombone at age 12 with his father. He subsequently studied at the Franz Liszt Music Academy and the Juilliard School. He is a S.E. Shires performing artist and clinician.  Learn more at koichiroyamamoto.com.
 

A versatile musician and educator, Taiwanese pianist Chiao-Wen Cheng has performed as soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician in major venues throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Cheng has become a sought-after collaborative partner through her sensitive playing, vibrant sound colors, and detailed voicing. Cheng’s solo engagements include concerto performances with the Fort Worth Symphony, Greece Symphony, and Taiwan Shin-Min Orchestra, as well as solo recitals in major venues. Cheng has won numerous piano competitions and awards, including the Clara Ascherfeld Award in Excellence in Accompanying at Peabody Institute (2009); the Excellence in Accompanying Award at the Eastman School of Music (2010); and first prizes in the the Piano Texas International Academy and Festival Concerto Competition (2010) and the Schubert Club Competition (2012). Cheng began piano lessons with her aunt at the age of four. She holds a doctoral degree from the Eastman School of Music, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Collaborative Piano at the Eastman School of Music. She joined the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as a Principal Keyboard in 2022.